Cabin Vardehaugen is shaped in a pose similar to a mountain fox curling up to avoid the cold wind.

This project is placed on an outcrop by a fjord in central Norway. The adjacent landscape is dominated by sea, rock, heath and a sometimes rough coastal climate.

The cabin is shaped in a pose similar to a mountain fox curling up to avoid the cold wind. The building lies snugly by a rocky ridge, whilst a small atrium opens up to the panoramic view outside. A small annex helps define the atrium and shelters the outside spaces from cold and wind.

Local wind information on the property was registered with the help of windsocks and conversations with local inhabitants. These observations, in addition to Anne Brit Børve’s PhD on design in harsh, cold climates, became important tools in relation to the placement, disposition, and design of the building entities.

Team: Aasarød / Bjørkum / Tyssedal

Photo: Private. Main photo by Sigurd Fandango.

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Vardehaugen_plan1100.jpg

Plan

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Varde_1929_1260_4-2.jpg

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Varde_1929_1260_2-1.jpg

Entrance / Morning terrace

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Vardehaugen_interiør_1.jpg

The living room is situated at the outermost point of the property, functioning almost like an observatory for the shifting weather and the local wildlife.

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/VARDE_05_new.jpg https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Vardehaugen_Stein.jpg

The black roof folds in and protects the building from the most exposed directions, while  horizontal white cladding defines the protected, social areas.

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Vardehaugen_Smug_NEW-1.jpg
https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Vardehaugen_Profile.jpg

Annex / Entrance

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/WEB_Varde03-1.jpg

Evening terrace

https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/August.png
https://vardehaugen.no/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/PANORAMA.jpg